Farmers Weekly Review

The City of Joliet has established a citizen advisory committee to assist the City Council with the ongoing comprehensive plan.

The ordinance, approved at the January 7 Council meeting, states that the Council is authorized to establish advisory bodies to assist with specific functions and provide recommendations on matters of public importance.

The advisory committee will provide guidance, facilitate public participation, and ensure the
successful development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Joliet has not completed a long-term comprehensive plan in nearly six decades.

These plans are typically conducted every 10 years.

Lamar Johnson Collaborative was selected in June 2024 to lead the nearly two-year process. A
comprehensive plan serves as a visioning document or blueprint that guides the community’s choices and civic investments based on feedback from residents.

The plan will also help Joliet make more strategic investments in capital improvements that benefit current residents and stakeholders, as well as support the development of the community for future residents and businesses.

Mayor Terry D’Arcy is recommending 13 volunteers from various backgrounds and community groups to serve on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC):

• Samantha Ante Martinez – Program Associate, Joliet Latino Economic Development Association
• Elaine Bottomley – Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the County Executive Will County
• Cesar Cardenas – District 4 Joliet City Council Member, Founder of Unidos Marketing Network
• Nora Gruenberg – Local Governmental Affairs Director, Three Rivers Association of Realtors
• Jen Howard – President, Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Wendell Martin – Senior Pastor, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
• Hugh O’Hara – Executive Director, Will County Governmental League
• Doug Pryor – President & CEO, Will County Center for Economic Development
• Steve Randich – Retired from Banking Industry
• J.D. Ross – Retired as Joliet Junior College President, Retired CEO of Will-Grundy Medical
Clinic
• Theresa Rouse – Superintendent of Schools at Joliet Public Schools District 86
• Diane Viveros – Director of Programs, Joliet Latino Economic Development Association
• Damon Zdunich –Joliet Regional Port Authority Board Member, Founding Partner, Bishop Hill
Winery

“We need individuals from all areas of the city, from business and education to county government, and those with backgrounds in economic development,” stated D’Arcy in the press release.

“Many of them were appointed under the last administration to serve on a similar committee, but the
committee never met. I believe this group will put the city’s best interests at the forefront and help guide the council during critical stages of developing the final plan.”

The Lamar Johnson Collaborative’s project approach consists of five phases, with each phase incorporating public engagement activities and associated deliverables. Lamar Johnson
Collaborative estimates the project will span 18–24 months.

The project is broken down into the following five phases:

• Phase 1: Evaluate (project kick-off, project branding, data collection, existing conditions
analysis, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 2: Investigate (key person interviews, community visioning public workshop, key
topic area definition and policy framework, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 3: Enhance (public workshop on key topic areas, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 4: Empower (preparation of draft plan and subarea plans, advisory committee and working group meetings)
• Phase 5: Examine (preparation of implementation plan, presentation of final plan, final plan open house)

The plan is expected to be completed by 2026.